Posted: Mon, Jan 6, 1992 11:30 PM EST Msg: HGJC-5063-9054
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FROM: ROBIN ROSS
P A L M E R S T A T I O N A N T A R C T I C A
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LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE ANTARCTIC MARINE
ECOSYSTEM (LTER): AN ICE DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT
The ice was blown out of Arthur Harbor on November 30, allowing
us to test the zodiac sampling system (the ROZE), initiate regular
sampling of the water column, and increase access to the seabird
rookeries surrounding Palmer Station. Two transects, one
onshore/offshore (stations A through E) and one along a 3 km radius
from Palmer Station (stations F through J), were set up in early
December, and the coordinates incorporated into our geographic
positioning system. The two transects are occupied on a weekly or
twice weekly schedule by the three water column components of the
LTER: primary production (S-016), prey (S-028), and optics and
remote sensing (S-032). These transects are used for vertical
optical profiles, water sampling for pigment and primary production,
and distribution of krill, silverfish and zooplankton. On December
18, we coordinated sampling our transect with the overflight of a
new POLDER system that had been coordinated by RACER. Our
groundtruth data will provide additional information for Robert
Frouin. Increases in phytoplankton standing stock is greatest in a
circle close to the harbor, but also evident at the offshore stations.
Five REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) students are now
on station. They are fully integrated into the various research
teams, and each has an independent research project as well as
responsibilities to fulfill the overall objectives of the LTER.
S-013 LTER: SEABIRD COMPONENT. W.Fraser and W. Trivelpiece,
P.I.s. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and THE BAHIA
PARAISO OIL SPILL: IMPACTS ON A SOUTHERN OCEAN SEABIRD
COMMUNITY. W. Fraser, P.I. Old Dominion University, Norfolk,
Virginia.
Field Team: B. Houston (leader) and D. Keller
Pack ice moved in and out of the harbor and surrounding waters
several times during the first 10 days of December allowing access
to most of the islands as needed. Reproductive sites for Adelie
penguins continued to be set up, and banding of known aged birds
and their mates continued as birds were found. Daily Adelie nest
checks for eggs and chicks were begun on both Torgersen and Humble
Islands. On December 5th, we weighed and measured both eggs of 50
Adelie nests in colony 14, and weighed and measured the female at
the nest as well. Monitoring of colony 23 (oil spill focal
colony), including reproductive success of birds exposed to fuel,
was also continued.
Censusing of all giant petrels on all islands within the two
mile area was done from December 7-16. Coincidentally with the
petrel surveys, we set up reproductive sites for cormorants on
Cormorant Island, and kelp gull reproductive sites on Hermit,
Limitrophe, Norsel Point, Bonaparte Point, and Kristie Cove. A
complete gull survey of all islands, including one time visits to
Laggard, Shortcut Point, and Halfway Islands was completed on the
15th. Skua territories continued to be monitored and mapped on
each island, and band numbers recorded as available. Marine
mammals were recorded as encountered on each island or surrounding
waters. We continued to measure and classify collected limpet
shells, and improve colony and reproductive site maps when ice
and/or weather conditions confined us to Palmer Station.
S-016 LTER: PATTERNS AND REGULATION OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION.
B. Prezelin, P.I., University of California, Santa Barbara, California
Field Team: B. Prezelin, N. Boucher, M. Moline, K. Seydell, K. Scheppe.
B. Prezelin and N. Boucher departed in mid-December on SAAMIB, and
K. Sydell and K. Scheppe arrived on SAMMIA.
December included postcruise workup of shipboard productivity
data while at Palmer, establishing logistics for Palmer based
studies from December 1991 to March 1992, implementing a
sampling strategy, and continuing experiments. B. Prezelin, N.
Boucher, and M. Moline (1) completed a recount of all C14 samples
(n=ca. 10000) from the November LTER cruise (ending Nov. 22); (2)
completed the setup of the laboratory and the outdoor incubation
system, and light, weather, and ice monitoring system for the
season; (3) established the zodiac sampling schedule, and (4)
completed experiments designed to determine the temporal and
spatial variability in photosynthetic performance, potential,
quantum efficiency, photoadaptive and photoinhibitory state, as well
as rates of light-independent rates of carbon fixation via beta-
carboxylation in the area around Palmer station.
Databases of both S-016 (Prezelin) and S-032 (Smith)
components will be combined to produce contour plots of key
variables known to regulate patterns of primary production and to
further development of the predictive bio-optical model for
Antartic primary productivity. Productivity work is based on GoFlo
bottle casts at LTER zodiac sampling stations (n=4 to 8 depths per
location, down to 100 meters). The December report for the LTER
remote sensing and biooptics component summarizes the hydrographic
and optical parameters logged during CTD/OFFI profiles of water
column. Our group collected and processed samples during the same
time frame for analyses of 1] inorganic nutrients (NH4, NO3, PO4,
Silicate); 2] particulate silicate (n=204); 3] CHN (n=192); and 4]
HPLC samples (n= 334) to be analyzed for 12 different chlorophyll
and carotenoid markers of phytoplankton taxonomy and
photophysiological state at time of sampling; 5] photosynthetic
performance, potential, quantum efficiency, photoadaptive and
photoinhibitory state, as well as rates of light-independent rates
of carbon fixation via beta-carboxylation (n= 9,900 C14 samples).
In addition, Q10 experiments were conducted weekly to determine the
temperature-dependency of the above photosynthetic parameters over
the temperature range evident throughout the photic zone of the
water column and evident over time.
Approximatly 200 HPLC samples have been analyzed since the
17th of December. On the 18th of December, S-016 and S-032
collaborated with the RACER group and provided supplimentary
ground data for an airborn spectral instrument. On the 27th of
December a collaboration with Deneb Karenz was completed looking
at the effects of UV light on laboratory cultures. Communications
between B. Prezelin in Santa Barbara, CA and field group at Palmer
Station have been good.
S-028 LTER: PREY COMPONENT/SECONDARY PRODUCERS. R. Ross and
L. Quetin, P.I.s. University of California, Santa Barbara, California
Field Team: L. Quetin, R. Ross, T. Newberger, T. Moylan, K. Haberman,
and K. Hacecky. Mid-December turn over in personnel - L. Quetin
(SAMMIB) and T. Moylan (SAAMIA) departed Palmer Station and R.
Ross (SAAMIA), K. Haberman (SAAMIA) and K. Hacecky (SAMMIB)
arrived on station.
Although most of the ice was blown out on November 30, enough
fast ice remained in Arthur Harbor to permit continued collection
and observation of krill larvae and juveniles under the ice during the
first week in December. An austral spring (Oct 22, Nov 29 and Dec
4) series of instantaneous growth rate (IGR) experiments with young
krill collected by divers from under the ice near Palmer Station has
continued using young krill collected with nets from the water
column in the same area (2 experiments in late December). These
brief experiments give rates of growth and molting of krill without
the inherent problems of either standard analysis of length
frequencies over time, or laboratory growth rates under often
constant conditions. Growth rates and molting frequency of krill
collected from Palmer Basin will be compared to those collected
during the cruise and from a much wider spatial area. Such
comparisons give seasonal and spatial variability in growth and
molting, and allow us to evaluate how representative the growth
rates of krill collected in the nearshore areas of Palmer Station are
of the study region. Concurrent data on food availability and
temperature will be be helpful in the analysis of possible
environmental effects on growth and molting.
Regular surveys of the nearshore environment for both krill and
silverfish were initiated in mid-December as soon as weather and
ice conditions permitted. We conduct acoustic surveys with a 120
kHz BioSonics instrument (n = 12) and fish the upper 35 m with a
16-ft otter trawl (n = 21) both between stations and when targets
are observed. Acoustic surveys of the two transects were
conducted twice weekly, once in conjunction with the primary
production and optical surveys, and once in conjunction with the
trawling surveys. Zooplankton are collected weekly (n = 10) with a
1-m ring net from the entrance to Arthur Harbor (station B) and from
our outer most station near the shelf break (station E ) for seasonal
and spatial changes in community composition of the smaller
zooplankters. Both the otter trawl and the 1-m net are deployed by
hand from a Mark V zodiac. Although we have only completed 2.5
weeks of this sampling program there are certain discernible
patterns. (1) Transect surveys. This austral spring, schools of krill
are found regularly near the harbor entrance, occasionally in mid-
transect of the onshore/offshore transect, and rarely near the shelf
break. Krill collected from one of these schools are of a wide size
range, but almost all are immature and will probably not reproduce
this season. Both juvenile and adult krill from the otter trawl have
been frozen for chemical composition and condition factor analyses.
(2) Zooplankton community composition is markedly different at the
inner and outer stations: copepods dominate the outer station where
phytoplankton concentrations are lower, and pteropods, fish larvae,
and krill dominate the inner station. Fish larvae are being
identified. Most are from benthic notothenoids, not from silverfish.
The possible use of natural penguin 'spill' as they regurgitate
food to their chicks as a source of information of what sizes of krill
are found within the foraging area of the Adelies, and whether these
krill are the same size as those collected in Arthur Harbor is being
evaluated. Mark Chappell (S-200) has collected multiple samples for
us, and one REU student is regularly joining his research team on
Torgersen Island to collect additional samples. Although whole krill
are seldom found in 'spill', eye diameter of recognizable krill eyes
can be measured. A strong correlation between eye diameter and
total length allows us to estimate the size composition of the krill
in the diets of these penguins, and thus what is available in the
immediate area. In addition to zodiac operations and live animal
experiments we have set up a schedule and a workstation for
analysis of the preserved trawl samples from the November 1991
LTER cruise.
S-032 LTER: ROMOTE SENSING AND BIO-OPTICS COMPONENT. R.
Smith, P.I. University of California, Santa Barbara, California
Field Team: R. Smith, T. Newberger, S. Fitzpatrick, and P. Handley.
Field team turnover in mid-December had R. Smith (SAAMIB) and S.
Fitzpatrick (SAAMIA) departing and P. Handley (SAAMIA) arriving at
Palmer Station.
Collection of optical and CTD data has proceded routinely
since 3 December as the pack ice moved out of the Palmer boating
limits. During the first several sampling trips we were able to
eliminate all of the bugs in the ROZE. We are able to return to
precise station locations on each sampling date with the
navigational aid of the portable GPS (Global Positioning System).
At each station we obtain water column profiles of physical and
optical characteristics using the CTD and the OFFI (Optical Free
Fall Instrument). These instruments are deployed in real time and
are controlled by an on-board portable computer. Because we
collect the data in real time we are able to relay important
information such as the chlorphyl maximum and the thermocline
depth to the other zodiac from which water is sampled for primary
production estimates. The data is stored on the hard disk of the
computer until it is archived on floppies back at station. We
sampled at the LTER stations on 14 days in December, collecting
106 water column profiles with the OFFI and CTD. Surface water
for chlorophyl analysis back in the lab were also obtained at each
station on each sampling date. We also obtain water samples from
the production component at multiple depths from two selected
stations each week for chlorophyl analysis. We have continued to
sample surface water for chlorophyl analysis from two sites that
are accessable by land on a weekly basis. There is considerable
variability in the physical properties of the water column among
the LTER stations despite the relatively small region to which they
are confined. Generally surface salinity is lower, surface
temperature is higher and flourescence is higher at the more
inshore stations compared to those nearer the 100 fathom depth
line.
S-014 ENERGETICS OF THE ADULTS AND LARVAE OF ANTARCTIC
KRILL, EUPHAUSIA SUPERBA. L. B. Quetin and R. M. Ross, PIs,
University of California at Santa Barbara, California
Field Team: L. B. Quetin (PI) and T. Moylan were on station in early
December, departing on SAAMIB and SAAMIA respectively. R. Ross
(PI) and J.Mahoney arrived on station in mid-December on SAAMIA
and SAAMIB respectively.
Although L. B. Quetin, R. Ross and T. Moylan were on station during
half of December, 90% of their effort was for the prey component of
the LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) project. Post-cruise
analysis of samples and data from WinCruise IV (September 1991)
necessary before samples were lost was completed prior to
December. During December scientific gear was inventoried and
packed for retrograde to CONUS. Uni-algal cultures of phytoplankton
were established for assimilation efficiency experiments planned
for later in the summer. Innocula of 6 species of diatoms and of
Phaeocystis were kindly given us by D. Karentz (S-031).
S-031 PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY OF ULTRAVIOLET-ABSORBING
COMPOUNDS IN ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS D. Karentz, P.I., University of
California, San Francisco.
Field Team: D. Karentz, W. Dunlap., T. Gast
During the past month final collections were made from
intertidal areas in Kristie Cove to complete our time series study of
UV-absorbing compounds in field populations of invertebrates and
algae. Final samplings were also made on plants and animals that
had been maintained under three different UV light regimes in
outdoor seawater tanks since Sept. Laboratory analyses of all
samples continued.
An experiment on the physiological responses of individual
phytoplankton species to ambient UV radiation was completed in
collaboration with S-016. Unialgal cultures of local phytoplankton
species were used and samples were collected over a two-week
period for analysis of UV-absorbing compounds, pigments,
photosynthetic characteristics and cell division rates.
All project personnel will be departing on Jan 5.
RACER: RESEARCH ON ANTARCTIC COASTAL ECOSYSTEM RATES AND
PROCESSES
S-044 (D. Karl, University of Hawaii), S-045 (M. Huntley,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, California),
S-046 (O. Holm-Hansen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San
Diego, California), and S-210 (A. Amos, University of Texas at
Austin, Port Aransas, Texas)
The RACER program focussed on the study of physical and biological
dynamics of the Gerlache Strait in a 26-day field period from
mid-December through early January. The field program involved
approximately 200 deployments of a CTD/rosette system and 200
deployments of a multiple opening and closing net and environmental
sensing system (MOCNESS) at a series of 45 stations which were
repetitively sampled througout the study. A total of 22 ARGOS-linked
Lagrangian drifters were released througout the region to study sources
and fates of surface flow. Water was collected at each station for
a variety of measurements of particulate standing stocks, dissolved
gases, and experimental determinations of rates of microbial
primary and secondary production. Five successful overflights of an
aircraft-borne ocean color scanner (POLDER) were accomplished during
the study. Free-floating sediment traps were deployed on three
occasions for measurements of the depth-related particulate vertical
flux, and free-floating incubators were deployed to measure primary
production. Two intensive studies of diel vertical migration of
zooplankton were completed. Rates of feeding, respiration and egg
production of a variety of representative zooplankton species were
measured throughout the region. Results will be analyzed to ascertain
the effects of physical circulation on the dynamics of planktonic
communities, and how these processes determine the unique biological
environment residing in Gerlache Strait. A one-day study of the ice
edge zone in Marguerite Bay was completed involving joint ship-
aircraft operations along a 10-station transect.
S-106 -- VLF TRIMPI STUDIES AT PALMER STATION. U.S. Inan (P.I.)
No personnel on station. Equipment being monitored and maintained
by station Science Technician Rod Corson.
Most recordings were made for the month of December.
Most recorded data was shipped out with the last departure of the
R/V Polar Duke on 05 Jan, the remainder of the recorded data will be
shipped out on the next departure of the R/V Polar Duke.
Inventory of data now on station: (Jan. 05, 1992)
17 - Continuous VLF Tapes from 28 Dec to present.
17 - Trimpi recordings on digital tape from 21 Dec. to
present.
The daily recording schedule continues with two continuous VLF
recordings, from 0400 to 0700 and from 0700 to 1000 UT, and one
digital tape recording of Trimpi activity, from 0130 to 1200 UT.
Monday morning charts of the Trimpi data are still being sent
to Stanford so that the investigators can maintain a better
understanding of equipment performance and suggest any needed
changes or adjustments to the site.
S-200 REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT IN ADELIE PENGUINS M. A. Chappell and V. H.
Shoemaker, PI's, University of California at Riverside, Riverside,
California
Field Team: M. A. Chappell and T. L. Bucher arrived at Palmer during
the first week of December, joining D. Janes and D. Patterson.
During the first part of the month, the team attempted to catch
up on preliminary field work delayed by heavy sea ice during
November and early December. We continued to record the status
of banded pairs of penguins and to band additional birds as
necessary to bring the total number of stable banded pairs to about
160. These pairs will form the basis for further observations and
measurements this season. Several measurements of body
composition and field metabolic rate (FMR) during the incubation
phase were obtained using isotopic dilution and turnover
techniques. Egg laying and consequently hatching was
approximately one week later than normal this season, possibly
because of heavy ice cover in November. The first chicks were
observed on 15 December and approximately 95% of all remaining
eggs had hatched by 30 December.
Measurements of adult foraging behavior and energetics during
the incubation phase were begun on 14 December, utilizing doubly-
labeled water (DLW) and time-depth recorders (TDRs). Eight such
measurements were completed by the end of the month. The at-sea
foraging periods for these penguins ranged from 3 to 8 days. As
observed last season, foraging occurred throughout the day, with
dive frequency and dive depth declining at night. Most foraging
dives were to depths of 10-50 meters, with a maximum of 90-100
meters. During foraging trips, birds were actively swimming from
30-50% of the time.
Studies of chick metabolism, osmoregulation, and food
consumption commenced shortly after adequate numbers of
hatchlings became available (18-20 December). Field studies of
growth rates of approximately 100 marked chicks began on 18
December and will be continued until these birds fledge or
disappear. We are using deuterium turnover to estimate the water
flux in growing chicks in the colonies. Food consumption rates
(i.e., adult provisioning) and heat production will be computed from
the water flux data and studies of the water content of the food
provided by adults. Samples of spilled food are being provided to
Dr. R. Ross (S-028) for determinations of prey size characteristics.
Additional lab studies of growth efficiency and osmoregulation
(water, electrolyte, and nitrogen balance) were also initiated in
December.
S-275 UM/DOE ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING PROGRAM AT PALMER STATION.
T. Snowdon, University of Miami; C. Sanderson/N. Chui, EML/DOE N.Y.
No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician
Rod Corson.
System continues to operate with normal weekly schedule of
calibration, background, and sample counts, with one sample filter being
exposed for the duration of the week. All recorded data on station was
shipped North with the departure of the R/V Polar Duke. Information on
3.5 floppies was copied and stored on site before the originals were
shipped.
On Station there are currently one (1) exposed filter, one (1)
filter being exposed, one (1) prepared blank filter, and one (1)
data disk currently being used to log data.
T-312 TERASCAN SATELLITE IMAGING SYSTEM. R. Whritner, Scripps Institution
of Oceanography, San Diego, California
No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician
Rod Corson.
The satellite collection schedule continues with fourteen (14)
NOAA satellite passes. Four DMSP satellite passes are also collected
daily. These passes are recorded digitally on 8mm video tape.
There are eleven (11) full 8mm "video" tapes of collected passes on
station and one current tape almost complete.
A few passes have failed in the collection process for various
reasons and Palmer is in contact with Bob Whritner and Seaspace
about these irregularities. The lost passes amount to only a very
small percentage of total desired passes.
In order to record NOAA-12 passes the HRPT receiver must be
switched to channel 2. This problem appears to be software related.
Both NOAA-11 and NOAA-10 can still be recorded in the remote
position.
T-313 UV MONITORING EXPERIMENT. C. Booth, Biospherical Instruments.
No personnel on station. System being run by ASA science technician
Rod Corson.
The scan schedule continues with hourly data scans, plus four
response and two wavelength scans per day. An absolute calibration scan
was run on Dec 22.
Daily data packages are sent to Biospherical via E-Mail.
The Palmer monthly weather summaries are now being sent to
Biospherical on what we expect to be a regular basis. It has been
discovered that Palmer can create a file that will directly load into
the spreadsheet program that is used by Biospherical.
A new version of UVDECODE is now on line at Palmer station and we
are now able to process better preliminary data. Some of this
preliminary data is being used by other science teams on station and
some data has also been sent to Faraday Station. All users of this
information realize that it is only preliminary data and is not properly
corrected and finalized.